Valve control for reservoirs



Jan. 7, 1941. CLEGG 2,227,632

I VALVE CONTROL FOR RESERVOIRS Filed Dec. 24, 1958 INVENTOR. flea/ 44s 62.566-

ATTORNEY-5.

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in valve control for a reservoir, and has particular reference to a device of the character de ,-scribed that is adapted for controlling the de- 5 livery of liquid into the reservoir.

In the conventional float valve as employed in water tanks of flush toilets, for example, a float is utilized for regulating the height of the water in the tank. The float is responsive to changes in the level of the water, and after the water has reached a predetermined height the valve is automatically closed and further flow of Water into the tank is prevented.

As the water level in such a tank rises, the valve is gradually closed *by the float, thus progressively decreasing the flow of Water into the tank and extending the time required for filling the tank. This gradual closing of the valve causes a swishing noise and due to the attend- 2 ant increase of pressure causes undue wear in localized spots on the valve seat.

It is proposed in this invention to provide a control for a valve that will allow the latter to remain fully open until the reservoir or tank has 25 been filled to a predetermined level, whereupon the valve is immediately closed by a snapping action. This entirely eliminates the usual swishing noise and materially reduces the time necessary for filling the reservoir.

30 Moreover, I propose to provide a valve control that is simple in construction, durable and efiicient for the purpose intended, and which may be manufactured at a relatively low cost of manufacture.

35 Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features will be set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

For a better understanding of my invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which the view is a front elevation of a reservoir, with parts broken away to disclose my float arrangement.

While I have shown only the preferred form 45 of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In carrying my invention into practice I make use of a reservoir I, which may be the water tank for a conventional flush type toilet. The reservoir is provided at its bottom with the usual discharge pipe 2 that is controlled by the ordinary ball valve (not shown) the latter having the regu- 55 lar operatingmeans associatedtherewith. This arrangement is well known in the art and need not be shown and described in detail.

The reservoir is filled by means of a water inlet pipe 3 that extends upwardly through the bottom of the reservoir. The upper end of this extension pipe 8 leading downwardly therefrom to within a short distance from the bottom of the reservoir.

It will be noted that I have shown a bracket 9 rising from the valve 4. The top of this bracket has a lever ID swingably secured thereto as at H. The lever has a fulcrum connection [2 with the plunger 6.

A second bracket 13 projects from the body of the valve 4 and has an arm 14 of a float l5 pivotally secured thereto at IS. The lever I0 and the arm [4 are interconnected by means of a link I! so that movement imparted to the float I5 by the rising and falling of the water in the reservoir will serve to actuate the valve.

The level of the water l8 in Figure 1 has been illustrated as being somewhat below the height ultimately reached by the water when the reservoir is filled during normal operation.

The float I5 is elongated and the center IQ of the float is disposed to the right of a vertical plane 20 passing through the pivot IS. The plunger 6 is spaced from the valve seat 5 in this position of the float, and the valve 4 is fully open so as to allow rapid filling of the reservoir. As the water level rises in the reservoir the left-hand portion of the float will be subjected first to a lifting movement by the water. Since this portion of the float is disposed to the left-hand side of the vertical plane 20 the valve 4 will not be closed at this time.

The pipe 3 may be used as a stop to limit the downward movement of the float as the tank is emptied. Upon filling the tank or reservoir to a higher level than that illustrated the water will contact with the float further to the right and the point will be reached where the buoyancy of the water will operate to force the float upwardly into the broken line position. This will occur at substantially the time when the tank has been filled to the desired level, and the valve 4 will close quickly, which eliminates the usual swishing noise caused by the gradual closing or choking of the valve.

I claim:

1. In combination, a reservoir having a liquidsupplying pipe leading thereinto, and a floatcontrolled valve for the pipe having a float disposed in the reservoir, the float being pivotally mounted and being shaped and located to urge the valve into full open position as the liquid level rises in the reservoir to a predetermined height and to thereupon snap the valve into closed position.

2. In combination, a reservoir having a pipe leading thereinto, a valve in the pipe, a swingably mounted arm having a float thereon disposed in the reservoir, and means operatively connecting the float arm to the valve for actuating the latter in response to movements of the float, the float being shaped and located, when the valve is open to urge the valve into full open position in response to the initial lifting effect of the rising liquid and to thereafter close the valve with a snap movement.

3. In combination, a reservoir having a pipe leading thereinto, a valve in the pipe, a swingably mounted arm having a float thereon disposed in the reservoir, and means operatively connecting the float arm to the valve for actuating the latter in response to movements of the float, the float being shaped and located, when the valve is open to present a minor and lower portion on one side of the vertical plane of the axis of the swinging movement and a major and higher portion on the other side of said plane,

whereby, when the liquid level rises, the center of buoyancy shifts to exert lifting effect first on, one side of the plane and then on the other for initially urging the valve into open position and then closing it with a snap movement.

4. In combination, a reservoir having a pipe leading thereinto, a valve in the pipe, a swingably mounted arm having a float thereon disposed in the reservoir, and means operatively connecting the float arm to the valve for actuating the latter in response to movements of the float, the float being shaped and located, when the valve is open to present a minor and lower portion on one side of the vertical plane of the axis of the swinging movementand a major and higher portion on the other side of said plane, whereby, when the liquidlevel rises, the center of buoyancy shifts to exert lifting effect first on one side of the plane and then on the other for initially urging the valve into open position and then closing it with a snap movement, the pipe being disposed to serve as a stop for positioning the float when the valve is open.

5. A float control for a valve or the like, comprising a bearing, an arm suspended therefrom and having afloat at its lower end, and means for supporting the arm so as to position the float on an incline, with the major upper portion on one side of the vertical plane of the bearing and a minor lower portion on'the other side of said plane, whereby a rising body of liquid, due to a 

